Floor strip

ABSTRACT

A thin decorative thermosetting laminate of postforming quality is glued to a longitudinal carrier to form a floor strip. The laminate has a thermosetting resin as well as hard particles impregnated therein to increase the abrasion resistance of the laminate. The carrier generally has a cross section of a dilatation, transition or a finishing profile, depending on the intended use of the floor strip. The floor strip has a tab portion on a surface that engages a channel on a floor tile or a reducer. The tab portion locks the floor strip into place and prevents movement of the floor tile or the reducer with respect to the floor strip.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No.08/817,391, filed Apr. 25, 1997 and a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser.No. 09/986,414, filed Nov. 8, 2001, the entire disclosures of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a process for the production ofa floor strip such as a dilatation profile, a transition profile or afinishing profile. The present invention also relates to the features ofthe floor strip.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] It is previously known to produce floor strips such as metalstrips, wood veneer coated strips and strips of homogeneous wood.However, such floor strips generally do not adequately match the patternof the other portions of the floor. Thus, there is a strong desire tobring about a floor strip with the same pattern as on a floor ofthermosetting laminate. During the last few years these floors havebecome very usual. For instance they are made with a wood pattern,marble pattern and fancy pattern. Possibly you can use a homogeneouswood strip or a wood veneer-coated strip for a few of the wood patternedfloors. Previously known strips do not go well together with all theother floor patterns.

[0006] These floor strips are provided in a floor system in order toprovide a transition or edge to the floor, such as at the corner of thewall or between rooms. They may also be provided between rooms havingdifferent types of flooring, such as carpet and tile, or differentheights or textures of tiles. However, conventional floor strips do notadequately provide a transition between differing floor types becausethey cannot adequately cover the gap between the differing floorcoverings or the differing heights of the tiles.

[0007] However, it also a problem for sellers of floor strips toinventory differing types of transition profiles, especially in apattern or color to match a single floor. Thus, there exists a need toprovide a single floor strip which can satisfy a number of differingrequirements, such a being useful as a finishing profile, a dilatationprofile, and a transition profile.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0008] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a floor stripwith improved abrasion resistance and features to overcome the problemsin the art.

[0009] According to the present invention it has quite surprisingly beenpossible to meet the above needs and bring about a process for theproduction of floor strips such as a dilatation profile, a transitionprofile or a finishing profile. The process comprises glueing,preferably under heat and pressure a thin decorative thermosettinglaminate of post-forming quality having an abrasion resistance measuredas IP-value>3000 revolutions, preferably >6000 revolutions, on alongitudinal carrier, which carrier preferably consists of a fibre boardor a particle board with a rectangular cross-section and at least twoopposite rounded-off edges.

[0010] The post-forming laminate is glued in one piece on the upper sideand two long sides of the carrier via the rounded-off edges, whereuponone or more floor profiles having the same or different cross-section ismachined from the laminate coated carrier. According to anotherembodiment the carrier can be provided with a rectangular cross-sectionwith three rounded-off edges.

[0011] From the same body, the laminate clad carrier, several profileswith varying shape can be machined. Usually a milling machine is usedfor machining the different kinds of profiles from the laminate coatedcarrier. The carrier may also be molded to achieve various profileswhich may be required. Additionally, the carrier is preferably waterresistant or even waterproof. In a preferred embodiment the carrierconsists of a high density fibre board made of fine fibres, such asknown in the industry as medium density fiberboard (MDF) or high densityfiberboard (HDF).

[0012] Advantageously, a heat and moisture resistant glue is used at theglueing. Preferably the glueing is carried out under heat and pressure.For instance, the pressure can be regulated by means of rollers whichpress the laminate against the carrier. The temperature can, forinstance, be regulated with heating nozzles which can give an evencurrent of warm air.

[0013] Suitably the post-forming laminate consists of at least onemonochromatic or patterned paper sheet impregnated with a thermosettingresin, preferably melamine-formaldehyde resin and preferably one or moresheets for instance of parchment, vulcanized fibres or glass fibres. Thelast mentioned sheets are preferably not impregnated with anythermosetting resin, but the thermosetting resin from the sheetssituated above will enter these sheets at the laminating step, where allsheets are bonded together. Alternatively, the sheet can be a metallicfoil or a layer of paint.

[0014] Generally the term post-forming laminate means a laminate whichis so flexible that it can be formed at least to a certain extent afterthe production thereof. Ordinary qualities of thermosetting decorativelaminates are rather brittle and cannot be regarded as post-forminglaminates.

[0015] Usually the post-forming laminate includes at least one uppermosttransparent paper sheet made of α-cellulose and impregnated with athermosetting resin, preferably melamine-formaldehyde resin. Thisso-called overlay is intended to protect an underlying decor sheet fromabrasion.

[0016] Often at least one of the paper sheets of the postforminglaminate impregnated with thermosetting resin, preferably the uppermostone, is coated with hard particles, e.g., those having a Moh's hardnessof at least 6, preferably between 6 and 10, similar to the Moh'shardness of at least silica, aluminium oxide, diamond and/or siliconcarbide. The hard particles have an average particle size of about 1-80μm, preferably about 5-60 μm evenly distributed over the surface of thepaper sheet. In a preferred embodiment the hard particles are applied onthe resin impregnated paper surface before the resin has been dried. Thehard particles improve the abrasion resistance of the laminate. Hardparticles are used in the same way at the production of laminates whichare subject to a hard wear such as flooring laminates.

[0017] The abrasion resistance of the post-forming laminates is testedaccording to the European standard EN 438-2/6: 1991. According to thisstandard the abrasion of the decor sheet of the finished laminate to theso-called IP-point (initial point) is measured, where the startingabrasion takes place. The IP-value suitably lies within the interval3000-20000, preferably 3000-10000 revolutions. Thus, the manufacturingprocess according to the invention makes it possible to produce laminateclad profiles with the same surface pattern and about the same abrasionresistance as the laminate floorings they are intended to be usedtogether with.

[0018] The carriers for the floor strips to which the post-forminglaminate is glued can be made of differing profiles to accommodate thespecific circumstance, namely whether a dilatation, transition orfinishing profile is required. The profile, for example a dilatationprofile, comprises a general T-shape whereby a first plane extendingvertically along the length of the floor strip intersects about in themiddle of a second horizontally oriented plane. A profile removes abouthalf of the second plane to form a rotated upside down L-shape, which isused adjacent a wall or on a stepped surface. A dilatation profile issimilar to a finishing profile, but the second plane is oriented off ofhorizontal or it is divided into two planes, one at a different levelthan the other, or one side is removed altogether, which provides asmoother transition between uneven tiles, a carpet and tile, ordiffering tile textures. The pattern of the profiles can also be adaptedto other flooring materials than laminate floorings, such as parquettefloorings and soft plastic floorings.

[0019] In order to overcome the problems associated with transitioningbetween carpet and tile, differing textures of tiles or differingheights of tiles, the second plane may have a tab portion on itstile/carpet engaging surface depending orthogonally away from the secondplane and displaced away from the first plane. The tab is used to engagea reducer that extends between the floor surface and the engagementsurface of the second plane. The reducer is configured to maintain ahorizontal orientation of the second plane and provide a smoothertransition between the tile surfaces in the finishing, transition ordilatation profile when they are used between uneven tile surfaces,differing tile textures or between carpet and tile. The tab portion fitsinto a groove on the upper surface of the reducer in mating fashion tocreate a solid lock between them.

[0020] Alternatively, the tab portion may be engaged into the edge of atile panel on the floor. In this situation, the tiles adjacent to thetransition area may require a groove cut into them near the transition.Such allows the tab portion to maintain a firm and locked relationshipwith the tile surface and provide a better transition between the tilesurface and the respective profile. Further, a tab portion may beprovided on both sides of the second plane respective to the first planeto further smooth the transition area between the first tile surface,the floor strip and the second surface.

[0021] The design of the tab may come in varying styles, there may be astraight block type tab, a t-nut type, various interlocking styles and achannel type arrangement. Such types depend on the particularrequirements of the tiling circumstance.

[0022] This inventive floor strip according to the above may be used asa transition piece between various tongue and groove panels to provide asmooth and aesthetic transition between floor sections having dissimilarsurfaces, such as those between a carpeted area and a tiled area, a thintile area and a hardwood floor, two tile areas having differingtextures, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The present invention will be explained further in connectionwith the embodiment example below and the enclosed figures of which:

[0024]FIG. 1 illustrates a post-forming laminate glued to a longitudinalcarrier,

[0025]FIG. 2 illustrates a dilatation profile with a post-forminglaminate glued thereto,

[0026]FIG. 3 illustrates a finishing profile with a post-forminglaminate glued thereto,

[0027]FIG. 4 illustrates a transition profile with a post-forminglaminate glued thereto,

[0028]FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of a dilatation profileextending between uneven tile surfaces,

[0029] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate an assembled view of a locking tab/reducerassembly,

[0030] FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate an assembled view of a non-lockingtab/reducer assembly,

[0031]FIG. 8 illustrates an assembled view of a dilatation profilehaving two tab portions locking with edge panels,

[0032]FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the invention according to oneembodiment of the invention,

[0033] FIGS. 10-14 illustrate tab designs according to other embodimentsof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] In the figures of illustrating a floor strip 100, the thicknessof the post-forming laminate 1 has been magnified as compared to thesize of the carrier 2 and the profiles, e.g. 3-5 respectively, to betterillustrate that a post-forming laminate 1 is glued to the carrier 2 andthe profiles 3-5 respectively. Of course the FIGS. 1-4 only show oneembodiment of the carrier 2 and the profiles 3-5 respectively which canbe produced according to the invention. Various other designs arepossible as shown in the other drawing figures.

[0035] For example in one embodiment, a roll of transparent so-calledoverlay paper of α-cellulose with a surface weight of 25 g/m² isimpregnated with an aqueous solution of melamine-formaldehyde resin to aresin content of 70 percent by weight calculated on dry impregnatedpaper. Immediately after the impregnation, aluminium oxide particleswith an average particle size of 50 μm are applied to the upper side ofthe paper in an amount of 7 g/m² by means of a doctor-roll placed abovethe paper web. Thus, the hard aluminium oxide particles are then appliedto the still-wet melamineformaldehyde resin which has not dried.

[0036] The impregnated paper web is then fed continuously into a heatingoven, where the solvent in the resin evaporates. Simultaneously, theresin is partially cured to so-called B-stage. Thereby the aluminiumoxide particles are enclosed in the resin layer and accordinglyconcentrated to the surface of the product obtained which is usuallycalled a prepreg. The prepreg web obtained is then rolled again.

[0037] A roll of conventional non-transparent decor paper with a decorpattern printed thereon and having a surface weight of 80 g/m² istreated in the same way as the overlay paper except for the fact that noaluminium oxide particles are applied and that the resin content was 50percent by weight calculated on dry impregnated paper.

[0038] A roll of unimpregnated parchment with a surface weight of 120g/m² is used at the production of the post-forming laminate.

[0039] The two prepreg webs impregnated with melamine-formaldehyde resinand the unimpregnated parchment web are then pressed between two pressbands of a continuous laminating press to a decorative post-forminglaminate. At the pressing, a prepreg web of α-cellulose is placed on topwith the side with the hard particles directed upwards. Underneathfollows a prepreg web of decor paper and at the bottom a web ofparchment. The prepreg webs and the parchment web are pressed togetherat a pressure of 35 kp/cm² and at a temperature of 170° C. Thedecorative post-forming laminate obtained is then cut with roller knivesto strips of suitable length and width.

[0040] A longitudinal carrier 2 with a rectangular cross-section and twoopposite rounded-off edges according to FIG. 1 are machined from a fibreboard or other substrate material by means of a milling machine. Thefibre board is a water resistant board of so-called MDF-quality (mediumdensity fibre board quality) or, alternatively, HDF quality (highdensity fibre board quality), made of finely divided fibres with anadhesive to bond the fibres together.

[0041] A strip of post-forming laminate 1 is now glued under heat andpressure to the longitudinal carrier 2 with a heat and moistureresistant glue. The pressure is regulated with rolls which press thelaminate against the carrier and the temperature 1 is regulated withheating nozzles which blow an even current of warm air.

[0042] Following the above process, the abrasion resistance of thepost-forming laminate obtained was measured. Then a value for theIP-point amounting to 7000 revolutions was obtained.

[0043] The different structures and designs of the profiles for floorstrip 100, namely the dilatation, finishing and transition will now bedescribed with respect to FIGS. 2-9. A dilation profile 3 according toFIG. 2 can be machined from the laminate clad carrier by milling. Twofinishing profiles 4 according to FIG. 3 or one transition profile 5according to FIG. 4 can be produced from the same carrier. This resultsin a rational and cost-saving production. Alternatively, the carrierscan be the shape as shown in FIGS. 2-9 before the post-forming of thelaminate is commenced.

[0044]FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of one of the preferred embodimentsof the invention, wherein floor strip 100 is attached between twodiffering sets of tiles, thin tile 70 and thicker tongue and groovetiles 80 and 81 (shown in mating relationship), all on a subfloor 500.FIG. 6A shows the components of FIG. 5 assembled together. In thesefigures, floor strip 100 is a dilatation profile having a T-shape, witha first plane 50 arranged vertically in use and a second plane 60oriented horizontally and connecting to the first plane along itsmid-section forming a “T.” The second plane overhangs the first plane ona first side 61 and a second side 62. A tab 180 extends from the bottomplane of first side 61 of the second plane.

[0045] Due to the differing heights of the tiles 70 and 80/81, a reducer90 will be required to provide a smooth transition. Reducer 90 has aheight corresponding to the height difference between the tiles and alsohas a groove 91 on its upper surface for acceptance, in a lockingmanner, of tab 180. Upon assembly of tiles 70, 80 and 81 and floor strip100, the tab fits into groove 91 and then the reducer is assembled inmating position between an edge 71 of tile 70 and the first side 61 ofthe second plane. The design of the tab and reducer prevents the reducerfrom laterally moving in relation to floor strip 100 in an assembledcondition. Although a simple tongue and groove design is shown, otherengagement means may be used (See FIGS. 9A-9F, discussed below) whichhave locking designs which lock the floor strip and reducer together. Ateach of these mating portions, glue may be used to additionally securethe components together. The reducers 90 (as well as the reducers of thesubsequent described embodiments) may carry on an exposed outer surfacea pot forming laminate (not shown) in a manner similar to that shown inFIGS. 1-4.

[0046] Reducer 90 may have alternate designs, which are illustrated inFIGS. 6B and 6C. Reducer 90, shown in FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B, has a slopedportion 93, which provides a more gradual transition between a tiledfloor section having a higher height than an adjacent floor tilesection. On the other hand, Reducer 95, shown in FIG. 6C, has a verticalside 96, which would provide more of a small step between the differenttile floor sections.

[0047] Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7A-7C,whereby instead of tab 180 locking into a reducer, it provides a backstop for a reducer 97 which does not have any groove. Other aspects ofthis embodiment are congruent to those of the previous embodiment andwill not be repeated herein.

[0048] Reducer 97 is more or less a rectangular box design having onesloped side 109 which as in the previous embodiment provides a gradualtransition between floor heights. Reducer 97 does not have a groove,rather the back side 99 is abutted against tab 180 when floor strip 100and reducer 97 are in their assembled positions, as shown in FIG. 7A. Aglue or other adhesive may be used to maintain the parts in theirpositions and prevent reducer 97 from laterally moving in relation tofloor strip 100. Alternatively, reducer 98 may be used in place ofreducer 97. Reducer 98 has a rectangular box shape which provides a stepbetween floor heights rather than in a sloped fashion.

[0049] A further embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 8. In thisembodiment, floor strip 100 is used between two adjacent floor tilesections having similar heights. Further, both first side 61 and secondside 62 of the second plane 60 have tabs 180 and 181, respectively.Tiles 200 and 210 have grooves 201 and 211 respectively. Tabs 180 and181 fit into grooves 201 and 211 by a tongue and groove style, however,other engagement styles may be used (See FIGS. 9A-9F below) which eitherpositively lock the parts together or simple provide a guide forassembly. Such a design does not require the use of a reducer betweenthe tile and the floor strip.

[0050] The tab and reducer groove need not be a simple tongue and groovedesign, as outlined in FIGS. 5-8. These were described merely by way ofexample using floor strip 100 with tab portion 180 as shown in FIG. 9.Alternatives of the tab on the floor strip in conjunction with a reducerare shown in FIGS. 10-14. Additionally, the reducers described inconjunction with the invention as a spacer between uneven floor tiles isnot necessary. Should the tiles have similar height, a reducer may beremoved and such slots which are described in the reducer may also becut into the appropriate floor tile for positive locking or preventionof associated movement.

[0051] In FIG. 10A, a tab 1800 on floor strip 101 has the shape of at-nut. An associated reducer 1000 has a shape similar to the t-nut cutthrough its longitudinal length thereof. Tab 1800 fits into the reducer1000 by sliding the tab into an end portion of the reducer and along thelength of the reducer. Such a design allows for a positive locking in alateral direction while allowing movement along the longitudinal axis ofthe floor strip.

[0052] The designs of the tab portion as shown in FIGS. 1A, 12A and 14Ashow a tab portion that snaps into the associated reducer. In FIG. 11A,a tab 1800 of floor strip 102 has a pair of upwardly facing angled teeth1850 and 1851. A reducer 1100 used in association with tab 1800 has aslot 1105 cut there through having an opening congruent to the design ofthe tab. When tab 1800 and reducer 1100 are assembled together, floorstrip 102 is placed atop the reducer. Upon sufficient pressure on thefloor strip, tabs 1801 will snap into the slot 1105. Teeth 1850 and 1851prevent tab 1801 from being removed from slot 1105 of reducer 1100providing a positive locking together.

[0053] Tabs 1802, 1820 and 1803 shown in FIGS. 12A and 14A, have asimilar design for the upwardly facing teeth as shown in FIG. 11A, buthave a differing number of teeth. Similarly, reducers 1200 and 1400,used in association with these tabs respectively, also have slots 1205and 1405 which are congruent to the associated tabs. A tile 1225 alsohas a slot near its edge for acceptance of the tab 1820. Each slotdesign allows for the tab portion to be snapped into the associated slotfor a positive locking between the tab and the slot. Although the slotdrawn in these figures has a shape congruent to the shape of theassociated tab, such is not required. The slot must only be ofsufficient design whereby the tab can snap into the slot and whereby thedesign of the slot prevents removal of the tab. FIG. 12B also shows afloor strip 103 having a pair of tabs whereby the tabs snap into both areducer and the associated tile. However, such a specific case is notrequired. Floor strip 103 may be snapped into a pair of tiles or a pairof reducers.

[0054] In FIG. 13A, floor strip 104 has a pair of spaced tabs 1380 and1381 having a generally triangular profile and extending along thelength of the floor strip. Tabs 1380 and 1381 provide a channel by whichreducer 1300 is held between the tabs under floor strip 104. Such adesign prevents lateral movement of reducer 1300 in relation to floorstrip 104.

[0055] Although the present invention has been described and illustratedin detail, such explanation is to be clearly understood that the same isby way of illustration and example only, and is not to be taken by wayof limitation. Other modifications of the above examples may be made bythose having ordinary skill which remain within the scope of theinvention. For instance, the examples are described with reference to adilatation profile for the carrier of the floor strip. However, such taband reducer designs work just as well with a finishing profile as wellas a transition profile, and whether used on carpet or floor tiles.

I claim:
 1. A floor strip assembly to cover a gap between a first andsecond floor surface, comprising a longitudinal carrier comprising a ribextending along a longitudinal axis thereof, a plane extendingorthogonal to the rib having an engaging surface and an upper surface,and a tab portion on the engaging surface extending away from theengaging surface, and a thermosetting laminate of postforming qualitycomprising hard particles which impart abrasion resistance to thelaminate, measured as IP value>3,000 revolutions, wherein the laminateis glued onto the upper surface.
 2. The floor strip assembly accordingto claim 1, further comprising a reducer having an upper side thatengages the engaging surface and a channel within the upper side thatengages the tab portion.
 3. The floor strip assembly according to claim2, wherein the reducer is assembled between the first floor surface andthe engaging surface and is configured to keep the plane in a horizontalorientation when the first and second floor surfaces have differentthicknesses.
 4. The floor strip assembly according to claim 2, whereinthe tab portion slidingly engages the channel when the reducer engagesthe engaging surface.
 5. The floor strip assembly according to claim 2,wherein the tab portion snap-fits into the channel.
 6. The floor stripassembly according to claim 6, wherein the tab portion is one of ageneral hook shape, and a lip is formed at a point of the hook, and agenerally bulbous shape having a plurality of vertically spaced,upwardly facing teeth.
 7. The floor strip assembly according to claim 1,further comprising a reducer having an upper side that engages theengaging surface and an inner side that abuts the tab portion to preventlateral movement thereof.
 8. The floor assembly according to claim 7,wherein the tab portion is one of a generally rectangular shape abuttingthe inner side of the reducer, and a pair of extensions, which abut anouter and the inner side, respectively, of the reducer.
 9. The floorstrip assembly according to claim 1, wherein the tab portion engages achannel in the first floor surface.
 10. The floor strip assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein an upper end of the rib attaches to theplane along a central axis thereof to form substantially a T-shapeprofile for the floor strip, dividing the plane into a first side and asecond side.
 11. The floor strip assembly according to claim 10, whereinthe tab portion is located on the first side engaging surface of theplane and a second tab portion is located on the second side engagingsurface of the plane and extends orthogonal therefrom.
 12. The floorstrip assembly according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the firstand second tab portions engages a channel in one of the first and secondfloor surfaces.
 13. The floor strip assembly according to claim 1,wherein the upper surface comprises a generally planar surface with twoopposite rounded-off edges.
 14. The floor strip assembly according toclaim 13, wherein the laminate covers substantially the entire planarsurface and along the rounded-off edges.
 15. The floor strip assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the carrier is water resistant.
 16. Thefloor strip assembly according to claim 1, wherein the laminatecomprises at least one patterned paper impregnated with a thermosettingresin.
 17. The floor strip assembly according to claim 16, wherein thethermosetting resin is melamine-formaldehyde.
 18. The floor stripassembly according to claim 16, wherein the laminate further comprisesone or more sheets consisting of fibers selected from parchment,vulcanized or glass fibers which are not impregnated with athermosetting resin.
 19. The floor strip assembly according to claim 1,wherein an upper most sheet of the laminate is coated with hardparticles selected from the group consisting of silica, aluminum oxide,silicon carbide and combinations thereof, the hard particles having anaverage size of 1-80 μm.
 20. The floor strip assembly according to claim1, wherein the laminate comprises at least one transparent overly ofa-cellulose impregnated with a thermosetting resin.
 21. The floor stripassembly according to claim 20, wherein the overlay is impregnated withmelamine-formaldehyde resin.
 22. A process for the production of aprofiled floor, said process comprising gluing a thin decorativethermosetting laminate of postforming quality comprising hard particleswhich impart abrasion resistance to the thermosetting laminate, measuredas IP value>3,000 revolutions, on a longitudinal carrier comprising arib extending along a longitudinal axis thereof, a plane extendingorthogonal to the rib having an engaging surface and an upper surface,and at least one tab portion on the engaging surface and extending awayfrom the engaging surface, said upper surface having at least twoopposite rounded off edges, and postforming the thermosetting laminateon the longitudinal carrier, wherein, in said gluing step, thethermosetting laminate is glued on the upper surface and the rounded offedges to form a floor profile.
 23. The process for the production of theprofiled floor according to claim 22, comprising providing a waterresistant carrier as the carrier.
 24. The process for the production ofthe profiled floor according to claim 22, wherein the gluing step iscarried out under heat and pressure.
 25. The process for the productionof the profiled floor according to claim 22, further comprisingimpregnating at least an upper most sheet of the laminate with hardparticles selected from the group consisting of silica, aluminum oxide,diamond, silicon carbide and combinations thereof, the hard particleshaving an average size of 1-80 μm.
 26. The process for the production fothe profiled floor according to claim 25, wherein the hard particle sizeis 5-60 μm.
 27. The process for the production of the profiled flooraccording to claim 22, further comprising impregnating the laminate witha thermosetting resin.
 28. The process for the production of theprofiled floor according to claim 27, wherein the thermosetting resin ismelamine-formaldehyde.
 29. The process for the production of theprofiled floor according to claim 22 wherein the laminate comprises anoverlay of α-cellulose.
 30. The process for the production of theprofiled floor according to claim 29, further comprising impregnatingthe overlay with a thermosetting resin.
 31. The process for theproduction of the profiled floor according to claim 22, wherein thecarrier has a profile selected from the group consisting of adilatation, a transition and a finishing profile.
 32. The process forthe production of the profiled floor according to claim 22, wherein theat least one tab portion has a shape selected from the group consistingof a general hook shape, and a lip is formed at a point of the hook, agenerally bulbous shape having a plurality of vertically space, upwardlyfacing teeth, a frustum-shape with a large base distal the engagingsurface, a generally rectangular shape, and a pair of polygonal shapedextensions.
 33. The process for the production of the profiled flooraccording to claim 22, wherein the IP-value lies within the interval of3,000-10,000 revolutions.
 34. A process for the production of a profiledfloor, said process comprising gluing a thin decorative thermosettinglaminate of postforming quality comprising hard particles which impartabrasion resistance to the thermosetting laminate, measured as IPvalue>3,000 revolutions, on a longitudinal carrier having a rectangularcross-section and at least two opposite rounded off edges on an uppersurface, wherein in said gluing step, the thermosetting laminate ofpostforming quality in one piece is glued on the upper surface and therounded off edges to form a laminate coated carrier, and subsequentlymachining the laminate coated carrier into one or more profiles eachhaving at least one engagement surface located opposite the uppersurface with a tab portion extending from the engagement surface,wherein each profile may be the same or different cross section from thelaminate coated carrier to produce a floor profile.
 35. The process forthe production of the profiled floor according to claim 34, comprisingproviding a water resistant carrier as the carrier.
 36. The process forthe production of the profiled floor according to claim 34, wherein thegluing step is carried out under heat and pressure.
 37. The process forthe production of the profiled floor according to claim 34, furthercomprising impregnating at least an upper most sheet of the laminatewith hard particles selected from the group consisting of silica,aluminum oxide, diamond, silicon carbide and combinations thereof, thehard particles having an average size of 1-80 μm.
 38. The process forthe production fo the profiled floor according to claim 37, wherein thehard particle size is 5-60 μm.
 39. The process for the production of theprofiled floor according to claim 34, further comprising impregnatingthe laminate with a thermosetting resin.
 40. The process for theproduction of the profiled floor according to claim 39, wherein thethermosetting resin is melamine-formaldehyde.
 41. The process for theproduction of the profiled floor according to claim 34 wherein thelaminate comprises an overlay of α-cellulose.
 42. The process for theproduction of the profiled floor according to claim 41, furthercomprising impregnating the overlay with a thermosetting resin.
 43. Theprocess for the production of the profiled floor according to claim 34,wherein the carrier has a profile selected from the group consisting ofa dilatation, a transition and a finishing profile.
 44. The process forthe production of the profiled floor according to claim 34, wherein theat least one tab portion has a shape selected from the group consistingof a general hook shape, and a lip is formed at a point of the hook, agenerally bulbous shape having a plurality of vertically space, upwardlyfacing teeth, a frustum-shape with a large base distal the engagingsurface, a generally rectangular shape, and a pair of polygonal shapedextensions.
 45. The process for the production of the profiled flooraccording to claim 34, wherein the IP-value lies within the interval of3,000-10,000 revolutions.